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Saturday, 14 January 2012

Amazon Deal of the Day: Canon XS DSLR

Amazon's Deal of the Day today (I pass these along if they're directly photo-related) is the Canon Rebel XS on closeout, with the surprisingly good EF-S 18–55mm ƒ/3.5–5.6 IS lens, for $399.

The recently discontinued XS, you remember, was the 10-MP "budget" version of the XSi...but still, it's relatively well-featured and responsive. He-who-must-not-be-named says it's Canon's smallest- and lightest-ever DSLR. I shall take that at face value.

Image quality is extremely good. You can see approximately four gazillion examples on the web if you search. (A gazillion being larger than a bazillion, remember.)

Amazon's $399 price is roughly $70–80 below the going rate. Don't forget, these deals only last until Amazon's supply runs out—typically not all day—so if you want one, don't take too long to decide.

Note: Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. More...Original contents copyright 2011 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.

Featured Comment by David: "I've had my Rebel XS for three years now and absolutely love it. It replaced a Canon S3is and is the perfect landscape camera. It's small and light, and when I put it on the tripod, set the ISO to 100, and stop the kit lens down to ƒ/11, I'm good to go. Never been tempted to upgrade, although the next time Amazon has the 55–250mm on sale for $144 I would like to pick one up. My Sigma 70–300mm is too bulky and heavy, as well as very soft over 200mm."

Comments

DP Review describes the XS/1000D as a 'reheated' XTi/400D (same sensor). Luminous Landscape indicates that the 400D is good enough to be a pro's backup. I have owned a 400D and handled a friend's 1000D.

Let's start with the negatives:
* the ergonomics don't suit my large hands (but apparently adding a grip helps a lot)
* no spot metering
* the viewfinder is small and dim
* I liked having the settings displayed on the rear screen (they were easy to read in any light), but the 1000D lacks a sensor which turns off the screen when you lift the camera to your eye
* holding down the exp. comp. button while turning the front dial wasn't fun

Now the good:
* excellent image quality
* it's a budget camera but it's got everything that you need in a photographic tool (some might disagree due to the lack of spot metering)
* direct access buttons for ISO and WB. The 400D "got out of the way" and in many ways the user interface was better than the xxD series. The 1000D user interface is essentially the same.
* light and compact

To me the 1000D is ideal for:
* people on a budget
* beginners
* a backup to a big beast
* a second camera to use in a high-risk environment
* a light walkabout camera for those who own a big black brick

Zooms have their uses but they make the minds of photographers lazy. If you gave the 1000D to a beginner without the zoom and with the following you'd have a light, compact, and "cheap" kit that would train them well:
* Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 (45mm-e, standard)
* Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 (80mm-e). Alternatively, spend a heap more on the EF-S 60mm macro and get a much better two-stop spread of focal lengths, much better bokeh, and the fun of macro.

If you want to add a budget dedicated flash with tilt and swivel I recommend the Nissin Di622. Yong Nuo flashes are ok but much less powerful than stated.

As an EXTREMELY happy XTI/400D owner, I'd say you have the plus's pretty well about nailed. I also have a 50D that I purchased on impulse when it was the hot thing but I still find myself using my 400D with grip much more regularly. Most of the time with my film-era Sigma 24/2.8 mounted on it.

As you say, it's a good backup and a good high-risk environment camera and for people on a budget. A co-worker just picked up a used one sans-lens but with grip, two Canon batteries, 4 GIG memory card, all cables, strap, etc., in what looks like pretty good condition for $150.- It may not be state of the art anymore, but that is a LOT of camera for that sum of money and if someone can't take fantastic pictures with it, they couldn't take a fantastic picture with the latest and greatest.